The IHOP Kids Eat Free promotion comes along about once per year. While we do see free kids' meals at select franchised IHOP locations every few months, IHOP Kids Eat Free is a limited-time promotion at IHOP restaurants nationwide. Based on prior years, we think another one could pop up this spring — potentially in May of 2025.
The IHOP Kids Eat Free menu is just one of the IHOP deals that will get you discounted pancakes and one of many kids eat free restaurants that offer free kids' meals when you buy an adult entree.
Here’s how IHOP Kids Eat Free works, a list of possible menu options, and how to best take advantage of this deal when it returns.
Get a free kids’ meal with an adult entree during the annual Kids Eat Free promo at IHOP.
When this deal returns, parents can grab a free kids' meal with an adult entree purchase from 4 - 10 p.m. at select locations.
You’ll only be eligible for one free kids' meal for every adult entree that you purchase. Make sure to contact your local IHOP to see if they're participating in the deal.
KCL TIP: None of the IHOPPY Hour menu items qualify for the Kids Eat Free meal, nor can any discounts from the IHOP Rewards program be used.
Kids 12 and under can pick between seven different menu items.
Kids 12 and younger can pick between a set list of seven menu items. This was the most recent menu from May 2024:
Silver Five: Five mini pancakes, one scrambled egg, and one bacon strip (reg. $5.99)
Jr. Chicken & Waffles: Two chicken strips and half a Belgian waffle (reg. $7.49)
Jr. Cheeseburger: A small burger served with applesauce (reg. $6.99)
Jr. Cupcake Pancake Combo: Pancake with rainbow sprinkles, one scrambled egg, one bacon, and one sausage link (reg. $6.29)
Jr. Chicken Strips Combo: Two chicken strips served with applesauce or French fries (reg. $7.29)
Happy Face Pancake Combo: Chocolate pancake with chocolate chips topped with whipped cream and cherries. Served with a side of one scrambled egg, one bacon strip, and one sausage link (reg. $5.99)
Macaroni & Cheese: Macaroni and cheese served with applesauce (reg. $5.79)
French Toast Sticks: Sliced French toast with a side of strawberries, banana, and chocolate sauce (reg. $6.49)
KCL TIP: Because IHOP locations are franchised, meaning individually owned, some restaurants won’t offer a free kids' meal or will have slight variations of this deal.
Order the Belgian Waffle and the Jr. Chicken Strips combo for the best value.
You can save between 24% - 48% with the Kids Eat Free deal, depending on how you order.
The best-value pairing on the IHOP Kids Eat Free menu is the Belgian Waffle adult entree (regularly $8.99) with a free Jr. Chicken Strips Combo (regularly $7.49). You'll spend $8.99 for $16.48 worth of food — a 45% discount.
On the other end of the scale, you could order the most expensive T-Bone Steak Dinner (regularly $18.49) as your adult entree along with the Jr. Mac & Cheese (regularly $5.79). You'd pay $18.49 for $24.28 worth of food — and still save 24%.
Save on your adult entree with a discounted IHOP gift card.
The IHOP Kids Eat Free deal offers big discounts, so IHOP won't stack it with other discounts or coupons. But you can pay with a discounted gift card to reduce your total out-of-pocket spend.
You can always use your Target Circle Card to get a 5% discount on your gift card purchases. So you'd get a $25 gift card and pay just $23.75. It’s one of the many benefits of having a Target Circle Card.
We’ve also seen discounts of up to 26% on IHOP gift cards at The Gift Card Exchange, which means you’d pay $18.50 for a gift card worth $25.
The IHOP Kids Eat Free deal isn't available for online orders.
Unfortunately, the IHOP Kids Eat Free deal isn't available when you purchase an adult entree online, so you won’t be able to place a carryout or delivery order with this deal. For the IHOP Kids Eat Free promo, you'll have to dine in as a fam. (If you're looking to save on food delivery, check out all the cheapest delivery apps.)
Select IHOPs have Kids Eat Free deals throughout the year, separate from the official annual Kids Eat Free promo.
While the official IHOP Kids Eat Free promotion is valid at most restaurants nationwide, there are franchise locations that offer free kids' meals more often. For example, my nearest IHOP just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, has free kids' meals with adult entrees on Sundays from 4 - 9 p.m., while another location further away has free kids' meal every weekday from 4 - 10 p.m. with an adult entree purchase.
So while the national promotion may not be active right now, it's worth calling your local IHOP to see if they offer their free kids' menu on select days of the week.
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